This report describes economic development programs operated by California Community Colleges during fiscal year 1998-1999. Report highlights include: (1) 60 of 107 community colleges (48 of 72 districts) operated an economic development program; (2) eight economic development programs engaged primarily in delivering training and technical…

After-school programs help to improve student academic achievement, keep children safe after school, keep children out of trouble, and build self confidence. This pamphlet summarizes the benefits of after-school programs, provides suggestions for locating a program, and delineates features of quality programs. The pamphlet also briefly describes…

Many faith communities partner with schools to provide tutoring, safe havens, after-school programs, mentoring, and summer activities; they also inspire their membership to volunteer on behalf of children, youth, and families in the nation's schools. This booklet describes several faith community initiatives in a variety of areas that support…

Within the past decade, the movement toward family and community empowerment in literacy has grown dramatically. It is readily accepted that students' academic performance at school is closely related to the family literacy environment. Community-based programs that celebrate diversity and personal strength while strongly supporting literacy have…

Sustainability is a critical issue for the vast array of community initiatives that promote healthy children, strong families, and safe communities. Noting that sustaining an initiative over time requires maintaining sufficient fiscal resources as well as a combination of nonfiscal resources from the initiative itself and the broader community,…

This report focuses on service and service-learning in high schools. The report compares data from 1984 research with information from two studies of service and service-learning completed in 1997. The data suggest that community service and service-learning in 1984 was available in slightly more than one-quarter of all high schools (primarily to…

This document presents a report on a 2-year study of community anti-drug coalitions in 11 cities that have community initiatives programs. Through an extensive review of the literature, conversations with prevention experts, and interviews with members of the programs, an examination was made of the lessons learned by the coalitions. Since formal…

The focus of this practitioner brief is: What are the messages being conveyed by a learning center? What is it about the learning center that makes the people want to come? The author, the director of the adult learning center, decided she could best answer these questions by interviewing a lead teacher at the center. According to this teacher,…

Changing the environment that affects decisions about use of alcohol and other drugs has emerged as a key to reducing substance use problems among college and university students. The student environment, however, is not limited to the campus. Education, counseling, and campus-based prevention policies and activities cannot succeed if a campus is…

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale offers baccalaureate degree programs in occupational education and other vocational areas for off-duty military personnel on their bases. The program illustrates how a university can fill a need for communities at some distance from the campus. (PP)

Information to help parents evaluate the coaches of their community's sport activities is provided, including qualities they should look for in coaches. Also included is a checklist that can help parents evaluate the maturity of their own attitudes and behavior where their children's sports are concerned. (PP)

Describes five programs designed to reduce or prevent mental illness by providing support, skills training, and anticipatory guidance to parents of children up to five years of age. (Author/MJL)

The paper discusses the placement of moderate, severely, and profoundly handicapped children from large institutions into a group home of five children in a community setting. Emphasis is on the cost comparison of children in an institution, a group home, and a single-family residence over a five-year period. (Author)

Presents a case study of the integration of a community survey and a community development seminar into a total community effort. Describes the results which included the initiation of new action programs in recreation and housing, the involvement of more citizens in leadership roles, and the development of communication networks. (LRA)

A rationale is presented for allowing community and neighborhood organizations to use vacant elementary classrooms during the regular school day for such purposes as adult classes, office space, and meetings. Several existing programs are mentioned and potential benefits and problem areas noted. (SJL)